DocumentCode :
1218949
Title :
Anode Phenomena in Vacuum and Atmospheric Pressure Arcs
Author :
Kimblin, C.W.
Author_Institution :
Westinghouse Research Laboratories Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15235
Volume :
2
Issue :
4
fYear :
1974
Firstpage :
310
Lastpage :
319
Abstract :
Summarizes recent experimental data related to anode phenomena in both vacuum and atmospheric pressure arcs. Currents in the range 10 A to 30 kA are discussed, and particular emphasis is placed on the effect of plasma flow from the cathode. For vacuum arcs this plasma flow is the directed motion of metal ions from the cathode spots. These ions reduce the anode voltage drop, and maintain a diffuse anode termination. At atmospheric pressure the ion flow is impeded by gas-atom collisions. However, a plasma flow towards the anode can result from magnetic pinch forces at the constricted cathode termination. In the absence of plasma flow, the anode termination constricts to a vigorously evaporating anode spot. For a typical non-refractory electrode such as copper, the spot operates at a temperature close to the boiling point irrespective of the gas pressure. The spot temperature is dictated by the balance between electrical input power and evaporative losses. These anode phenomena are discussed in relation to vacuum switchgear, arc welding and arc furnaces.
Keywords :
anodes; arcs (electric); plasma flow; Cu; anode phenomena; anode voltage drop; arc furnaces; arc welding; atmospheric pressure arcs; diffuse anode termination; evaporative losses; gas atom collisions; magnetic pinch forces; nonrefractory electrodes; plasma flow; vacuum arcs; vacuum switchgear; Anodes; Atmospheric-pressure plasmas; Cathodes; Copper; Electrodes; Impedance; Plasma temperature; Switchgear; Vacuum arcs; Voltage;
fLanguage :
English
Journal_Title :
Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on
Publisher :
ieee
ISSN :
0093-3813
Type :
jour
DOI :
10.1109/TPS.1974.4316856
Filename :
4316856
Link To Document :
بازگشت